UPDATE: House fire on Hinkson Ave. ruled suspicious
UPDATE 5:45 P.M.: ABC 17 News learned there have been more than 25 calls to the 1500 block of Hinkson Avenue.
Police records show calls were made for burglary, larceny, peace disturbance and a suspicious incident last June.
Assistant Fire Chief Brad Fraizer said investigation like this fire can take some time.
“We look at everything … it’s very thorough. We have two investigators working on this particular fire and … (it) can be a long lengthy process to get that information to determine exactly where it started and what started it,” Fraizer said.
Officials said they currently have two investigators on this incident and are working closely with Columbia Police Department to see where, who and what started the fire.
UPDATE – 10:04 A.M.: Officials with the Columbia Fire Department issued a press release stating the cause of an early-morning house fire has been ruled suspicious.
The press release says fire officials were dispatched to the residential structure blaze at 1506 Hinkson Ave. around 2 a.m. and found there was heavy fire involvement when they showed up within five minutes.
Initial reports indicated there was someone trapped but it was later determined no one was inside.
With a total of nine fire trucks units at the scene, the fire was brought under control within 20 minutes and no injuries were reported, the release said.
Officials said the damage is estimated at $60,000.
UPDATE – 6:30 A.M.: The Columbia Fire Department told ABC 17 News all occupants were able to make it out of a home in the 1500 block of Hinkson Avenue Thursday morning.
The home caught fire just before 2 a.m. and caused significant damage to the structure.
Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage.
ORIGINAL: Fire officials confirmed they are investigating a house fire that started early Thursday morning in Columbia.
Crews first got reports of a structure fire in the 1500 block of Hinkson Avenue just after 2 a.m. They saw significant smoke coming from the house and determined the fire started in the back.
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ABC 17 News crews at the scene also saw smoke coming from the house and visible damage to the front of the home.
Officials say they received reports someone was trapped inside the home. As of 3 a.m., no one has been found.
There were nearly a dozen fire units, including the fire marshal, as well as an ambulance and police talking to witnesses at the scene.
